New South Wales Food Authority

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New South Wales Food Authority

The New South Wales Food Authority (NSW Food Authority) is a statutory authority of the Government of New South Wales responsible for ensuring food safety and compliance with food standards in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The authority operates under the Food Act 2003 (NSW) and is part of the Department of Primary Industries (New South Wales).

History

The NSW Food Authority was established in 2004 to consolidate food safety and regulatory functions that were previously managed by various agencies. The creation of the authority aimed to streamline food safety processes and improve the efficiency of food regulation in New South Wales.

Functions

The primary functions of the NSW Food Authority include:

• Ensuring food safety and compliance with food standards.
• Conducting inspections and audits of food businesses.
• Investigating foodborne illness outbreaks.
• Providing education and resources to food businesses and consumers.
• Enforcing food labeling and advertising regulations.

Food Safety Programs

The NSW Food Authority implements several food safety programs to protect public health, including:

• The Food Safety Supervisor program, which requires certain food businesses to have a trained supervisor responsible for food safety.
• The Scores on Doors program, which rates food businesses based on their compliance with food safety standards.
• The Food Recall program, which manages the recall of unsafe or contaminated food products.

Collaboration and Partnerships

The NSW Food Authority collaborates with various stakeholders, including:

• Local government authorities, which assist with the enforcement of food safety regulations at the local level.
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), which develops food standards and policies.
• Industry associations and consumer groups, which provide input and feedback on food safety issues.

Governance

The NSW Food Authority is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Minister for Primary Industries (New South Wales). The board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the authority and ensuring its effective operation.

Contact Information

The NSW Food Authority's headquarters are located in Sydney, New South Wales. The authority provides various channels for the public and food businesses to contact them, including a customer service hotline and an online portal.

See Also

• Food safety
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand
• Department of Primary Industries (New South Wales)
• Food Act 2003 (NSW)